In-Situ NFT Pre-Treatment To Accumulate Optically Transparent Material on NFT To Improve Reliability

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to pretreating a magnetic recording head to increase the lifetime of the magnetic media drive. A transparent smear is purposefully formed on the magnetic recording head to ensure the magnetic recording head does not overheat and lead to a short drive lifetime. The transparent smear is formed from material found in the magnetic media. The transparent smear is formed by pretreating the magnetic recording head with the transparent material from the magnetic media. The pretreating occurs without writing any data to the magnetic media. Once the transparent smear is in place, writing may occur. The magnetic recording head can be retreated at a later time should the transparent smear degrade. Furthermore, if an optically absorbing smear develop, it can be removed and a new transparent smear may be formed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/805,414, filed Feb. 28, 2020, which is herein incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a magneticrecording head for a magnetic media drive.

Description of the Related Art

The heart of the functioning and capability of a computer is the storingand writing of data to a data storage device, such as a magnetic mediadrive (e.g., hard disk drive (HDD)). The volume of data processed by acomputer is increasing rapidly. There is a need for higher recordingdensity of a magnetic recording medium to increase the function and thecapability of a computer.

In order to achieve higher recording densities, such as recordingdensities exceeding 1 Tbit/in² for a magnetic recording medium, thewidth and pitch of write tracks are narrowed, and thus the correspondingmagnetically recorded bits encoded in each write track is narrowed. Onechallenge in narrowing the width and pitch of write tracks is decreasinga surface area of a main pole of the magnetic recording write head at amedia facing surface of the recording medium. As the main pole becomessmaller, the recording field becomes smaller as well, limiting theeffectiveness of the magnetic recording write head.

Heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) and microwave assisted magneticrecording (MAMR) are two types of energy-assisted recording technologyto improve the recording density of a magnetic recording medium. InHAMR, a laser source is located next to or near the write element inorder to produce heat, such as a laser source exciting a near-fieldtransducer (NFT) to produce heat at a write location of a magneticrecording medium. The NFT temperature has a direct impact on devicereliability. A high NFT temperature will lead to lowerlifetime/reliability. Additionally, the HAMR interface will accumulatematerial on the NFT. This accumulated material is oftentimes referred toas a smear. The smear contains optically absorbing material whichincreases the NFT temperature.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved magnetic mediadrive that reduces or eliminates the optically absorbing smear on theNFT.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to pretreating a magnetic recording headto increase the lifetime of the magnetic media drive. An opticallytransparent smear is purposefully formed on the magnetic recording headto ensure the magnetic recording head does not overheat and lead to ashort drive lifetime. The transparent smear is formed from materialfound in the magnetic media. The transparent smear is formed bypretreating the magnetic recording head with the transparent materialfrom the magnetic media. The pretreating occurs without writing any datato the magnetic media. Once the transparent smear is in place, writingmay occur. The magnetic recording head can be retreated at a later timeshould the transparent smear degrade. Furthermore, if an opticallyabsorbing smear develop, it can be removed and a new transparent smearmay be formed.

In one embodiment, a method comprises: applying power to a magneticrecording head at a first level, wherein the first level is less than anamount of power necessary to write data to a magnetic media, wherein themagnetic recording head is disposed over the magnetic media; andapplying power to the magnetic recording head at a second level that isgreater than the first level, wherein the second level is greater thanthe first level, and wherein the second level is sufficient to writedata to the magnetic media.

In another embodiment, a method comprises: removing an opticallyabsorbing smear from a magnetic recording head; applying a transparentsmear to the magnetic recording head, wherein the applying occurswithout writing data to a magnetic recording media; and writing data tothe magnetic recording media.

In another embodiment, a method comprises: pretreating a magneticrecording head with a silicon based material without writing data to amagnetic media; writing data to the magnetic media using the magneticrecording head; cleaning the magnetic recording head to remove opticallyabsorbing containing material; and retreating the magnetic recordinghead with the silicon based material.

In another embodiment, a magnetic media drive comprises: a control unitconfigured to: detect that a magnetic recording head has an absorbingsmear; cause the absorbing smear to be removed; cause a non-absorbingsmear to be deposited on the magnetic recording head; and resume normalwrite operations with the magnetic recording head.

In another embodiment, a magnetic media drive comprises: a magneticrecording head; a magnetic media; and a control unit coupled to themagnetic recording head and the magnetic media, wherein the control unitis configured to: apply power to the magnetic recording head at a firstlevel, wherein the first level is less than an amount of power necessaryto write data to the magnetic media, wherein the magnetic recording headis disposed over the magnetic media; and apply power to the magneticrecording head at a second level that is greater than the first level,wherein the second level is greater than the first level, and whereinthe second level is sufficient to write data to the magnetic media.

In another embodiment, a magnetic media drive comprises: a magneticrecording head; a magnetic media; and a control unit coupled to themagnetic recording head and the magnetic media, wherein the control unitis configured to: cause an optically absorbing smear to be removed froma magnetic recording head; cause a transparent smear to be applied tothe magnetic recording head, wherein the applying occurs without writingdata to a magnetic recording media; and cause data to be written to themagnetic media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentdisclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of a magneticmedia drive including a HAMR magnetic write head.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of a crosssectional side view of a HAMR write head facing a magnetic disk.

FIG. 3A is a graph illustrating the impact of optically absorbing smearon device lifetime.

FIG. 3B is a graph illustrating the growth of transparent smear ondevice.

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the impact of pretreating the NFTaccording one embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating a method of pretreating the NFTaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart illustrating a method of pretreating the NFTaccording to one embodiment.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in oneembodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments withoutspecific recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the disclosure.However, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited tospecific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of thefollowing features and elements, whether related to differentembodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice thedisclosure. Furthermore, although embodiments of the disclosure mayachieve advantages over other possible solutions and/or over the priorart, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a givenembodiment is not limiting of the disclosure. Thus, the followingaspects, features, embodiments and advantages are merely illustrativeand are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claimsexcept where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, reference to“the disclosure” shall not be construed as a generalization of anyinventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered tobe an element or limitation of the appended claims except whereexplicitly recited in a claim(s).

The present disclosure relates to pretreating a magnetic recording headto increase the lifetime of the magnetic media drive. A transparentsmear is purposefully formed on the magnetic recording head to ensurethe magnetic recording head does not overheat and lead to a short drivelifetime. The transparent smear is formed from material found in themagnetic media. The transparent smear is formed by pretreating themagnetic recording head with the transparent material from the magneticmedia. The pretreating occurs without writing any data to the magneticmedia. Once the transparent smear is in place, writing may occur. Themagnetic recording head can be retreated at a later time should thetransparent smear degrade. Furthermore, if an optically absorbing smeardevelop, it can be removed and a new transparent smear may be formed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of a magneticmedia drive including a HAMR magnetic write head. Such magnetic mediadrive may be a single drive/device or comprise multiple drives/devices.For the ease of illustration, a single disk drive 100 is shown accordingto one embodiment. The disk drive 100 includes at least one rotatablemagnetic recording medium 112 (oftentimes referred to as magnetic disk112) supported on a spindle 114 and rotated by a drive motor 118. Themagnetic recording on each magnetic disk 112 is in the form of anysuitable patterns of data tracks, such as annular patterns of concentricdata tracks (not shown) on the magnetic disk 112.

At least one slider 113 is positioned near the magnetic disk 112. Eachslider 113 supports a head assembly 121 including one or more read headsand one or more write heads such as a HAMR write head. As the magneticdisk 112 rotates, the slider 113 moves radially in and out over the disksurface 122 so that the head assembly 121 may access different tracks ofthe magnetic disk 112 where desired data are written. Each slider 113 isattached to an actuator arm 119 by way of a suspension 115. Thesuspension 115 provides a slight spring force which biases the slider113 toward the disk surface 122. Each actuator arm 119 is attached to anactuator 127. The actuator 127 as shown in FIG. 1 may be a voice coilmotor (VCM). The VCM includes a coil movable within a fixed magneticfield, the direction and speed of the coil movements being controlled bythe motor current signals supplied by control unit 129.

During operation of the disk drive 100, the rotation of the magneticdisk 112 generates an air bearing between the slider 113 and the disksurface 122 which exerts an upward force or lift on the slider 113. Theair bearing thus counter-balances the slight spring force of suspension115 and supports slider 113 off and slightly above the disk surface 122by a small, substantially constant spacing during normal operation.

The various components of the disk drive 100 are controlled in operationby control signals generated by control unit 129, such as access controlsignals and internal clock signals. Typically, the control unit 129comprises logic control circuits, storage means, and a microprocessor.The control unit 129 generates control signals to control various systemoperations such as drive motor control signals on line 123 and headposition and seek control signals on line 128. The control signals online 128 provide the desired current profiles to optimally move andposition slider 113 to the desired data track on magnetic disk 112.Write and read signals are communicated to and from the head assembly121 by way of recording channel 125. Certain embodiments of a magneticmedia drive of FIG. 1 may further include a plurality of media, ordisks, a plurality of actuators, and/or a plurality number of sliders.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of certain embodiments of a crosssectional side view of a HAMR write head 230 facing a magnetic disk 112.The HAMR write head 230 may correspond to part of the reading/recordinghead assembly 121 described in FIG. 1 or a recording head used in othermagnetic media drives. The HAMR write head 230 includes a media facingsurface (MFS), such as an air bearing surface (ABS) or a gas bearingsurface (GBS), facing the disk 112. As shown in FIG. 2, the magneticdisk 112 and the HAMR write head 230 relatively moves in the directionindicated by the arrows 282.

The HAMR write head 230 includes a main pole 236 disposed between aleading shield 234 and a trailing shield 238. The main pole 236 caninclude a main pole tip 237 at the MFS. The main pole tip 237 caninclude or not include a leading taper and/or a trailing taper. A coil260 around the main pole 236 excites the main pole tip 237 to produce awriting magnetic field for affecting a magnetic medium of the rotatablemagnetic disk 112. The coil 260 may be a helical structure or one ormore sets of pancake structures. The leading shield 234 and/or thetrailing shield 238 can act as the return pole for the main pole 236.

The magnetic disk 112 is positioned adjacent to or under the HAMR writehead 230. A magnetic field produced by current in the coil 260 is usedto control the direction of magnetization of bits in the magnetic disk112.

The HAMR write head 230 includes a structure for heating the magneticdisk 112 proximate to where the main pole tip 237 applies the magneticwrite field to the storage media. A waveguide 242 is positioned betweenthe main pole 236 and the leading shield 234. The waveguide 242 canincludes a core layer and a cladding layer surrounding the core layer.The waveguide 242 conducts light from a light source 278 ofelectromagnetic radiation, which may be, for example, ultraviolet,infrared, or visible light. The light source 278 may be, for example, alaser diode, or other suitable laser light source for directing a lightbeam toward the waveguide 242. Various techniques that are known forcoupling the light source 278 into the waveguide 242 may be used. Forexample, the light source 278 may work in combination with an opticalfiber and external optics for directing a light beam to the waveguide242. Alternatively, the light source 278 may be mounted on the waveguide242 and the light beam may be directly coupled into the waveguide 242without the need for external optical configurations. Once the lightbeam is coupled into the waveguide 242, the light propagates through thewaveguide and heats a portion of the media, as the media moves relativeto the HAMR write head 230 as shown by arrows 282.

The HAMR write head 230 can include a near-field transducer (NFT) 284 toconcentrate the heat in the vicinity of the focal point of the waveguide242. The NFT 284 is positioned in or adjacent to the waveguide 242 nearor at the MFS. Light from the waveguide 242 is absorbed by the NFT 284and excites surface plasmons which travel along the outside of the NFT284 towards the MFS heating a precise area of the NFT 284 which in turnheats a precise area of the magnetic disk 112. One possible NFT 284 forthe HAMR write head is a lollipop design with a disk portion and a pegextending between the disk and the MFS. The NFT 284 can be placed inclose proximity to the main pole 236. The NFT 284 is relativelythermally isolated and absorbs a significant portion of the laser powerwhile it is in resonance.

FIG. 3A is a graph illustrating the impact of optically absorbing smearon device lifetime. The absorbing smear can increase the NFT temperatureby more than 50. The non-absorbing smear, on the other hand, does notincrease the NFT temperature. A natural thought would be to simply notform any smear on the recording head. However, in practice, simply notforming any smear is not an option. A smear will naturally form, andthere is only so much smear that can actually form. In other words, asmear will form, but the smear will not have an unlimited thickness.Thus, because a smear will form, it would be beneficial to form anon-absorbing smear, but not form (or form as little as possible) anabsorbing smear. Therefore, selectively forming the non-absorbing ortransparent smear on the NFT is desired.

FIG. 3B is a graph illustrating the growth of transparent smear ondevice. As shown in FIG. 3B, the smear height is saturated by clearance.The three different lines show the speed with which the non-absorbingsmear is formed.

The smear is formed from material that is present in the magneticrecording medium that deposits on the magnetic recording head duringoperation. Therefore, the non-absorbing or transparent material thatforms the non-absorbing or transparent smear on the magnetic recordinghead is present in the magnetic recording medium. Additionalnon-absorbing or transparent material in the magnetic recording mediumis beneficial in selectively forming the non-absorbing or transparentsmear. Selectively doping the non-absorbing or transparent material intothe magnetic recording medium is manner to provide the additionalnon-absorbing or transparent material to the magnetic recording medium.

Once the non-absorbing material or transparent material is in themagnetic recording medium, the material needs to be deposited on themagnetic recording head as a non-absorbing or transparent smear. FIG. 4is a graph illustrating the impact of pretreating the NFT according oneembodiment. It shows that the pretreatment will result in a longerlifetime because the pretreatment purposefully forms a non-absorbingsmear on the magnetic recording head.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart 500 illustrating a method of pretreating the NFTaccording to one embodiment. In order to pretreat the NFT, the magneticrecording medium needs to have some material therein that will be thebasis for the non-absorbing or transparent smear. The material is placedin the medium during manufacturing. Suitable materials include siliconand oxides. Suitable oxides may be selected from the group consisting ofsilicon oxide, silicon dioxide, tantalum oxide, titanium oxide, andcombinations thereof. In some embodiments, the material is transparentin a wavelength range of between about 800 nm and about 900 nm.

Once fully assembled, the magnetic recording head is moved into aposition over the medium. Power will then be applied to the magneticrecording head in 502, but the power level will be below the normaloperating level for writing data. For example, the power level appliedto the magnetic recording head will be between 50 percent and less than100 percent, such as 80 percent, of the normal operating power level forwriting data to the medium. While the power is applied, the transparentsmear will begin to form. The power will be applied for a time period ofbetween about 2 seconds and about 15 minutes. If sufficient time has notpassed to form the non-absorbing smear in 504, then the power willcontinue to be applied. If, however, sufficient time has passed suchthat the non-absorbing smear has formed, then the magnetic recordinghead is ready to use for writing in 506. Additionally, after apredetermined period of time, the non-absorbing smear formation can bechecked. If the non-absorbing smear isn't satisfactory, the power levelcan be increased.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart 520 illustrating a method of pretreating the NFTaccording to another embodiment. During normal operation, it is possiblefor the non-absorbing smear to diminish and an absorbing smear todevelop. The absorbing smear can be detected in 522. In one embodiment,the absorbing smear is detected by applying an oscillating signal to aheat or light source for the NFT to dither the spacing between the NFTand the medium. Based upon a change in a contact detection signal, itcan be determined that an absorbing smear has formed. In anotherembodiment, the NFT has a temperature sensor that indicates temperaturesfor the NFT during operation are higher than normal. The highertemperatures are indicative of an absorbing smear being present on theNFT.

Once the absorbing smear has been detected, the magnetic recording headcan be moved to the parked position in 524 which is away from the mediumand not disposed directly over the medium. The absorbing smear, andpotentially any non-absorbing smear, can be removed at the parkedposition in 526. The magnetic recording head may then be moved back to aposition over the medium in 528. The non-absorbing smear can then bereformed in 530 and normal write operations can resume in 532. While thesmear is removed in the parked position, it is contemplated that thesmear may be removed in when the head is disposed over the medium suchthat the smear materials are redeposited on the medium.

The pretreatment, or retreatment, occurs at a lower stress condition(i.e., lower power level that normal write conditions) for a longerperiod of time than typical for write conditions. The stress conditionsoccurs when the magnetic recording head is in use and more specifically,above room temperature (i.e., about 25 degrees Celsius). The magneticrecording head is not stressed when at room temperature. The stress inthe magnetic recording head increases as the NFT temperature increases,and conversely the stress decreases as the NFT cools back to roomtemperature. The embodiments discussed herein result in the headpurposely operating in a stress condition in order to form a transparentor non-absorbing smear, and the stress condition is less than the stresscondition at which writing occurs. Hence, during formation of thetransparent or non-absorbing smear, no writing occurs. Furthermore,during formation of the transparent or non-absorbing smear, the powerlevel applied is below the power level applied during write operations.The power applied during write operations places the head under themaximum stress level. During operation at the lower stress level, thehead is pretreated to generate the non-absorbing or transparent smear onthe head by depositing the silicon or oxide materials from the mediumonto the head.

In one embodiment, a method comprises: applying power to a magneticrecording head at a first level, wherein the first level is less than anamount of power necessary to write data to a magnetic media, wherein themagnetic recording head is disposed over the magnetic media; andapplying power to the magnetic recording head at a second level that isgreater than the first level, wherein the second level is greater thanthe first level, and wherein the second level is sufficient to writedata to the magnetic media. The first level is greater than 50 percentand less than 100 percent of the second level. The first level isapplied for a time period of between about 2 seconds to about 15minutes. While applying power at the first level, a smear is formed onthe magnetic recording head. The smear comprises a material that istransparent at a wavelength of between about 800 nm and about 900 nm.The smear comprises an oxide. The smear comprises a silicon containingmaterial. The magnetic recording head is a heat assisted magneticrecording (HAMR) head.

In another embodiment, a method comprises: removing an opticallyabsorbing smear from a magnetic recording head; applying a transparentsmear to the magnetic recording head, wherein the applying occurswithout writing data to a magnetic recording media; and writing data tothe magnetic recording media. The applying occurs while the magneticrecording head is disposed over the magnetic recording media. Theremoving occurs while the magnetic recording head is not disposed overthe magnetic recording media. The applying comprises depositing materialfrom the magnetic recording media on the magnetic recording head. Thematerial is transparent at a wavelength of between about 800 nm andabout 900 nm. The material comprises an oxide. The material comprises asilicon containing material. The applying occurs at a first temperature,wherein the writing occurs at a second temperature, and wherein thesecond temperature is greater than the first temperature.

In another embodiment, a method comprises: pretreating a magneticrecording head with a silicon based material without writing data to amagnetic media; writing data to the magnetic media using the magneticrecording head; cleaning the magnetic recording head to remove opticallyabsorbing material; and retreating the magnetic recording head with thesilicon based material. The pretreating, writing, and retreating alloccur with the magnetic recording head disposed over the magnetic media.The magnetic recording head is a heat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR)head. The pretreating and retreating comprises depositing siliconmaterial on the magnetic recording head, wherein the silicon materialoriginates from the magnetic media.

In another embodiment, a magnetic media drive comprises: a control unitconfigured to: detect that a magnetic recording head has an absorbingsmear; cause the absorbing smear to be removed; cause a non-absorbingsmear to be deposited on the magnetic recording head; and resume normalwrite operations with the magnetic recording head. The control unit isfurther configured to move the magnetic recording head into a parkedposition, wherein the moving occurs after detecting that the magneticrecording head has an absorbing smear and prior to causing the absorbingsmear to be removed. The control unit is further configured to move themagnetic recording head into a position over a magnetic recordingmedium, wherein the moving occurs after causing the absorbing smear tobe removed and prior to causing the non-absorbing smear to be deposited.

In another embodiment, a magnetic media drive comprises: a magneticrecording head; a magnetic media; and a control unit coupled to themagnetic recording head and the magnetic media, wherein the control unitis configured to: apply power to the magnetic recording head at a firstlevel, wherein the first level is less than an amount of power necessaryto write data to the magnetic media, wherein the magnetic recording headis disposed over the magnetic media; and apply power to the magneticrecording head at a second level that is greater than the first level,wherein the second level is greater than the first level, and whereinthe second level is sufficient to write data to the magnetic media. Thefirst level is greater than 50 percent and less than 100 percent of thesecond level, and wherein the first level is applied for a time periodof between about 2 seconds to about 15 minutes. The control unit isfurther configured to cause a smear to be formed on the magneticrecording head. The smear comprises a material that is transparent at awavelength of between about 800 nm and about 900 nm and wherein thesmear comprises an oxide.

In another embodiment, a magnetic media drive comprises: a magneticrecording head; a magnetic media; and a control unit coupled to themagnetic recording head and the magnetic media, wherein the control unitis configured to: cause an optically absorbing smear to be removed froma magnetic recording head; cause a transparent smear to be applied tothe magnetic recording head, wherein the applying occurs without writingdata to a magnetic recording media; and cause data to be written to themagnetic media. The control unit is further configured to cause thetransparent smear to be applied while the magnetic recording head isdisposed over the magnetic media. The control unit is further configuredto cause the optically absorbing smear to be removed while the magneticrecording head is not disposed over the magnetic media. The opticallytransparent smear contains material from the magnetic media. Thematerial comprises an oxide. The material comprises a silicon containingmaterial

By pretreating the NFT of the magnetic recording head, a transparentsmear may be formed on the magnetic recording head and thus increase thelifetime of the magnetic media drive.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may bedevised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scopethereof is determined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: applying power to amagnetic recording head at a first level, wherein the first level isless than an amount of power necessary to write data to a magneticmedia, wherein the magnetic recording head is disposed over the magneticmedia; and applying power to the magnetic recording head at a secondlevel that is greater than the first level, wherein the second level isgreater than the first level, and wherein the second level is sufficientto write data to the magnetic media.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first level is greater than 50 percent and less than 100 percent ofthe second level.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first level isapplied for a time period of between about 2 seconds to about 15minutes.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein while applying power at thefirst level, a smear is formed on the magnetic recording head.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the smear comprises a material that istransparent at a wavelength of between about 800 nm and about 900 nm. 6.The method of claim 4, wherein the smear comprises an oxide.
 7. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the smear comprises a silicon containingmaterial.
 8. The method of claim 4, further comprising: removing anoptically absorbing smear from the magnetic recording head; applying atransparent smear to the magnetic recording head, wherein the applyingoccurs at a first temperature without writing data to the magneticrecording media; and writing data to the magnetic recording media,wherein the writing occurs at a second temperature, the secondtemperature being greater than the first temperature.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the applying occurs while the magnetic recording headis disposed over the magnetic recording media.
 10. The method of claim9, wherein the removing occurs while the magnetic recording head is notdisposed over the magnetic recording media.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein the applying comprises depositing material from the magneticrecording media on the magnetic recording head.
 12. The method of claim1, wherein the magnetic recording head is a heat assisted magneticrecording (HAMR) head.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:pretreating the magnetic recording head with a silicon based materialwithout writing data to a magnetic media; writing data to the magneticmedia using the magnetic recording head; cleaning the magnetic recordinghead to remove optically absorbing containing material; and retreatingthe magnetic recording head with the silicon based material.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the pretreating, writing, and retreating alloccur with the magnetic recording head disposed over the magnetic media.15. The method of claim 13, wherein the magnetic recording head is aheat assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) head.
 16. The method of claim13, wherein the pretreating and retreating comprises depositing siliconmaterial on the magnetic recording head, wherein the silicon materialoriginates from the magnetic media.
 17. A magnetic media drive,comprising: a magnetic recording head; a magnetic media; and a controlunit coupled to the magnetic recording head and the magnetic media,wherein the control unit is configured to: apply power to the magneticrecording head at a first level, wherein the first level is less than anamount of power necessary to write data to the magnetic media, whereinthe magnetic recording head is disposed over the magnetic media; andapply power to the magnetic recording head at a second level that isgreater than the first level, wherein the second level is greater thanthe first level, and wherein the second level is sufficient to writedata to the magnetic media.
 18. The magnetic media drive of claim 17,wherein the first level is greater than 50 percent and less than 100percent of the second level, and wherein the first level is applied fora time period of between about 2 seconds to about 15 minutes.
 19. Themagnetic media drive of claim 17, wherein the control unit is furtherconfigured to cause a smear to be formed on the magnetic recording head.20. The magnetic media drive of claim 19, wherein the smear comprises amaterial that is transparent at a wavelength of between about 800 nm andabout 900 nm and wherein the smear comprises an oxide.